Parachute



Dec. 3, 1946. G. B. BROWN PARACHUTE Filed June 24, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. B. BROWN Filed June 24, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 B. BROWN Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 14 Claims.

This invention relates to parachutes and more particularly to that type of parachute employed for retarding the downward movement and effecting the safe descent and landing of objects from aeronautical vehicles.

In devices of this class heretofore devised it has been the general practice to employ a parachute having a relatively flat canopy to which is attached the object to be lowered by means of a plurality of shroud lines secured to the rim of the canopy at intervals or arranged on the outside of the canopy and generally converging toward a common point at the apex of the canopy. Such parachutes have, in general, not proven entirely satisfactory in service for the safe descent of relatively heavy objects through the air in which the objects are to be landed within a relatively small target area for the reason that the shroud lines may be torn loose from the canopy in the case where the shroud lines are secured to the rim thereof as the parachute snaps to open position during the descent of the body through the air. In the case of parachutes in which the shroud lines are connected to flexible tension members extending across the top of the canopy, it has been found that the canopy assumes the shape of a section of an oblate spheroid when in the extended position with the flattened portion thereof in substantial coincidence with the apex of the canopy and for this reason the descent of the body through the air does not follow a predetermined line of flight but, on the contrary, the path of travel of the body through the air may pursue a fortuitous course and the body, therefore, does not fall upon a predetermined relatively small target area but may land anywhere within a relatively large area as the result of the tortuous path of travel of the body through the air during the downward flight thereof.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a parachute in which the foregoing disadvantages are obviated and which is adapted to while in flight. In the device of the present invention the canopy, when fully extended, is subat. regular intervals therealong to-whichare se-.

cured a plurality of shroud lines connected at the lower end thereof to a supporting ring to which the mine or object of merchandise is attached. The canopy is composed of fabric having high tensile strength and high porosity thereby to improve the stability of the parachute during the descent thereof through the air and to eliminate the necessity for a vent hole at the apex of the canopy.

The canopy is provided with flexible reinforcing members at the point of emergence of the looped portions of the resilient member from the aforesaid hem and preferably is also provided with an additional reinforcing portion or flexible element secured thereto at the upper central portion or apex of the canopy to prevent rupture or damage thereto as a result of the pressure of the air thereagainst when a violent shock is received at the moment of the complete unfolding or full extension of the canopy and during the downward flight of the object. Furthermore, by providing an arrangement in which the entire force resulting from the pull of the shroud lines is applied to the hem of the canopy through the aforesaid elastic members, the flexible tensile members of the prior devices extending across the top of the canopy are not required and thus a considerable saving in the bulk of the parachute when in a folded condition within the pack is effected and the parachute is particularly adapted for use with aerial type mines in which the mines are laid from an aircraft in flight and in which the mine is caused to fall upon a relatively small predetermined target area.

One of the objects of the present invention re sides in the provision of a new and improved parachute for causing the safe descent along a predetermined path of travel of a heavy object from an aircraft in flight.

Another of the objects is the provision of a parachute of new and improved construction for use with a relatively heavy object having small and adapted to coact with a continuous resilient element disposed withinthe hem of the canopy.

3 in operative connection with each of the shroud lines thereby to distribute the force applied by the shroud lines through a substantially increased portion of the canopy adjacent the rim thereof.

Still other objects, advantages and improvements will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a completely open parachute according to a preferred embod ment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parachute of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows an arrangement suitable for reinforcing the crown section of the canopy of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the canopy of Fig. 1 showing a portion of the resilient supporting member and one of the shroud lines con-- nected thereto and the means for additionally reinforcing the connection between the resilient member and the canopy at a point of emergence of the member therefrom.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete understanding of the invention in which like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown thereon a parachute indicated generally by the numeral H1 comprising a can opy l I composed of porous fabric of high tensile strength cut in gore and crown sections with the warp and woof thereof at substantially equal angles with respect to the outer edge of the canopy substantially as shown and attached together in any suitable manner as by stitching the parts together, as is well known in the art to which the present invention pertains.

The central or crown portion l2 of the canopy is preferably composed of fabric having greater tensile strength than the remaining gore sections of the canopy or, if desired, the crown portion may comprise a double thickness of material, each thickness of material having substantially the same tensile strength as the remaining gore sections of the canopy. In the event that the crown section is composed of a double thickness of material, it has been found desirable to employ an outer crown section iii of somewhat greater size than the inner crown section M whereby a plurality of rows of stitching between the crown sections and the adjacent portions of the canopy are arranged in predetermined space relation with respect thereto and the possibility of rupture of the canopy at the junction of the crown sections and adjacent portions is greatly reduced. This arrangement is shown on Fig. 3 in which the outer crown section it is shown attached to the remainder of the canopy as by the stitching l5 and the inner crown section M is attached to the remainder of the canopy by the stitching l6.

The'lower portion of the canopy H is provided with a reinforced hem ll within which is arranged a continuous hem cord is composed of stretchable material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as nylon. There is also provided within the lowermost portion of the hem IT a plurality of apertures 59, Fig. 4, spaced at regular intervals about the rim of the canopy l l within which the hem cord extends thereby forming a plurality of loops 2| in the hem cord. The apertures iii are each encircled by a reinforcing'tape 22 stitched to the hem of the canopy .and to a flexible reinforcing element. 23 arranged about the .hem of. .the canopy and stitched thereto and to the canopy above the hem portion as at 24, a plurality of rows of stitches 2'5 being provided to secure the hem cord sufiiciently to the hem to maintain the looped portions 21 projecting through the associated apertures i9 of the hem and to prevent the canopy opening from being drawn together by the pull of the shroud lines on the hem cord.

Whereas in the illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a cord having sixteen equally spaced loops 2 i it will be understood that, if desired, the number of loops in the cord may be increased or decreased without departing from the present invention. A plurality of shroud lines 26 are looped at the central portion 2? thereof and connected at the ends to the looped portions 2i of the hem cord, each shroud line being connected to two adjacent loops in the hem cord. The looped portions 2'. of the shroud lines are seized at 28 and secured to the mine 29 as by the shackles 35.

There is also secured to the hem cord as at 32 a static line 33 preferably having a weakened portion 54 at or near the point of connection of the static line with the hem cord, the static line being of suitable length such, for example, as twelve feet and connected at the opposite end thereof to the aircraft from which the mine is launched. The mine 29 is provided with a recessed portion 35 at one end thereof within which the parachute is packed prior to the launching of the mine from the aircraft and one end of the static line is secured in any convenient manner to the aircraft whereby as the mine t is dropped from the aircraft in flight at the proper time to cause the mine to land within the predetermined target area, the movement of the mine away from the aircraft causes the static line 34 to withdraw the parachute from the rccessed portion 35 of the mine sufficiently for the parachute to be opened by the pressure of the air as the mine continues to move downward. When the parachute has been withdrawn from the mine the tension on the static lino is sufficient to break the line at the weakened portion 34 thereof thereby interrupting a control connection between the parachute and the aircraft and allowing the mine and parachute to proceed toward the target area under the guidance and control of the parachute.

By securing the shroud lines at the looped portions 2'! thereof to an annular member such as the casing of the mine 29 illustrated, the velocity of the mine through the air quickly reaches a value sufiicient to cause the parachute to change from the squid form to the fully extended shape by reason of the air rushing into the canopy. When this occurs, the canopy naps open and a considerable increase in tension is applied to the shroud lines 26 by the falling mine. The shock caused by the sudden opening of the parachute is reduced and absorbed by the resilient hem cord sufiiciently to prevent damage or injury to the parachute and the devices for connecting the parachute to the mine. The looped portions El of the hem cord are elongated during this shock absorbing process and the shroud lines are caused to be somewhat stretched concurrently with the elongation of the hem cord thereby additionally to relieve the instantaneous strain on the canopy as the parachute snaps to open position.

Whereas the parachute has been described with reference to launching a mine from an aircraft in flight such that the mine will land withina relatively small target area, it will, of course,

' of high tensilev strength and comprising be understood thatthe device of the present in vention is also adapted for use with any heavy object such, for example, as an article of merchandise or freight composing an air-borne cargo or other article of commerce in whichthe cargo may be discharged from the aircraft in flight and safely landed at a receiving station.

Whereas the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof which gives satisfactory results, it will be. understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is my intention, therefore, in the accompanying claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object released from an aircraft in flight, a hemispherical canopy having a continuous circular hem along the edge thereof, reinforcing means composed of extensible material arranged in said hem and stitched thereto at intervals, and a plurality of shroud lines having loops formed in the ends thereof and the loops respectively secured to said reinforcing sections and having a circular rim, said gore secmeans, said shroud lines beingadapted to support said object.

2. A parachute of the character disclosed comprising a hemispherical canopy, an object adapted to be supported by said parachute, a continuous circular hem along the edge of said canopy having a plurality of apertures spaced at regular intervals therein, a continuous cord disposed within said hem and stitched thereto at intervals adjacent to and on opposite sides of said apertures, said cord having looped portions which extend through said apertures, means for reinforcing said hem about said apertures, and a plurality of shroud lines having loops formed in the ends thereof and the loops respectively secured to said looped portions, said shroud lines being adapted to support said object.

3. A parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of a heavy object released from an aircraft in flight, a hemispherical canopy having a continuous circular hem along the edge thereof, a continuous elastic cord disposed within said hem and stitched thereto at intervals, a plurality of shroud lines secured at both ends thereof to said cord at regular intervals, and means for connecting said shroud lines to said heavy object.

4. In a parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object, a hemispherical canopy comprising an inner crown section surrounded by a plurality of gores, an outer crown section stitched to said inner crown section along the periphery thereof for reinforcing said inner crown section, a continuous circular hem along the edge of said canopy, reinforcing means in said hem, and a plurality of shroud lines attached to said reinforcing means, said shroud lines being adapted to support said object.

5. In a parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object, a hemispherical canopy composed of a porous fabric an inner spherical canopy tions being arranged with the warp and woof thereof at substantially equal angles with respect to said rim, an outer porous crown section stitched to said inner crown section along the periphery thereof for reinforcing said inner crown section, a continuous reinforced circular hem along said rim, a plurality of shroud lines adapted to support said object, and extensible means for connecting the shroud lines to said hem.

' 7; Ina parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object, a hemispherical canopy comprising a crown portion composed of a double thickness of material, said crown portion comprising an inner crown section and an outer crown section stitched thereto along th periphery thereof, a continuous circular hem along the edge of said canopy, reinforcing means disposed within said hem and stitched thereto, and a plurality of shroud lines secured to said reinforcing means, said shroud lines being adapted to support said object.

8. In a parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object, a hemicomprising a crown portion composed of a double thickness of material, said crown portion comprising an inner crown section and an outer crown section of greater size than the inner crown section and stitched thereto along the periphery thereof,,a continuous circular hem along the edge of said canopy, reinforcing means disposed within said hem and stitched thereto, and a plurality of shroud lines secured to said reinforcing means, said shroud lines being adapted to support said object.

9. In a parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object, a hemispherical canopy composed of a porous fabric of high tensile strength and comprising a crown portion, said crown portion having an inner crown section and an outer crown section, a plu- ;rality of rows of stitching for securing the crown sections together along the outer periphery thereof and to the remaining portion of the canopy, a continuous circular hem along the edge of said canopy, reinforcing means disposed within said hem and stitched thereto, and a plurality of shroud lines secured to said reinforcing means and adapted to support said object.

10. A parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of a heavy object released from an aircraft in flight, a hemispherical canopy having a continuous circular hem along the edge thereof, an extensible hem cord disposed within said hem and having a plurality of looped portions extending therefrom, a plurality of shroud lines respectively secured to each of said of each of said looped portions of the hem cord from the hem, and a plurality of rows of stitches for ecuring the hem cord to the hem at regular intervals thereby to prevent the canopy from being drawn together by the pull of the shroud lines on the hem cord as the Parachute snaps to open position.

11. In a parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of an object, a hemispherical canopy comprising an inner crown section surrounded by a plurality of gores and stitched thereto, an outer crown section for reinforcing said inner crown section and stitched thereto along the periphery thereof, a continuous circular hem along the edge of said canopy, an extensible hem cord arranged within said hem and having a plurality of looped portions extending therefrom, a piurality of shroud lines less in number than the number of said looped portions, each of said shroud lines having a looped portion at the center thereof and secured at each end to each pair of adjacent looped portions of the hem cord, an annular support on said body, and means for connecting the looped portions of the shroud lines at regular intervals to said support.

12. In a device for retarding the downward movement of an object dropped from an aircraft in flight, a flexible hemispherical canopy having a circular rim, a continuous resilient stretchable member secured to said rim by stitching and having a plurality of uniformly spaced looped portions adapted to be momentarily elongated at the moment the parachute snaps open, a plurality of shroud lines having loops at each of the ends thereof, said loops being respectively secured to said looped portions, and means connected to said shroud lines for attaching said object thereto.

13. In a device for retarding the downward movement of an object dropped from an aircraft in flight, a fiexibie hemispherical canopy comprising a plurality of gore sections and having a circular hem, a plurality of rows of stitching for joining adjacent pairs of said gore sections, each of said rows of stitching intersecting said hem, a continuous extensible cord disposed within the hem and stitched thereto, said cord having a plurality of looped portions spaced at regular intervals thereon and extending through the hem in predetermined relation with respect to said rows of stitching, a plurality of shroud lines having loops at each of the ends thereof, said loops being respectively secured to said looped portions, and means connected to said shroud lines for attaching the object thereto.

14. A parachute of the character disclosed adapted to retard the fall of a heavy object released from an aircraft in flight, a hemispherical canopy having a continuous circular hem along the edge thereof, an extensible hem cord disposed within said hem and having a plurality of looped portions extending therefrom, a plurality of shroud lines respectively secured to each of said looped portions and to said object, means including a plurality of reinforcing members stitched to said hem and to the hem cord for additionally reinforcing the canopy at the point of emergence of each of said looped portions of the hem cord from the hem, a plurality of rows of stitches for securing the hem cord to the hem at regular intervals thereby to prevent the canopy from being drawn together by the pull of the shroud lines on the hem cord as the parachute snaps to open position, and a plurality of reinforcing tapes, each of said tapes being respectively stitched to each of said reinforcing members and encircling each of said looped portions, said reinforcing tapes being also stitched to said hem.

GRAHAM B. BROWN. 

